The Duchess of Cambridge's workload is expected to nearly double in the coming months as she becomes a mother for the first time.

Kate is taking on a further three patronages, taking her total to seven.

Announcing the news, a St James's Palace statement said: "The Duchess will, over the coming months, undertake both private and public visits across the UK to these organisations."

Kate, who is now more than six months pregnant, has chosen Place2Be, SportsAid and the Natural History Museum to add to the four patronages she already has.

The Duchess and her baby bump during a charity visit to a rehab centre

A Palace aide told Sky News Kate's inspiration for choosing Place2Be came from an increased understanding of the need to intervene early with children who experience problems.

"Through her other patronages like Action on Addiction, The Duchess of Cambridge realises early intervention is key for vulnerable children," explained the aide.

The Duchess' experiences as an ambassador for the London 2012 games and her love of sport inspired her second choice, SportsAid, which helps the Olympians and Paralympians of tomorrow by offering funding that helps young athletes focus on competitions.

"The Duchess of Cambridge visited the museum a number of times as a child. She's an avid supporter," the statement from St James's Palace added.

Kate was an Olympic ambassador

"One of the key things she's interested in, along with Princes William and Harry, is protecting the natural world for future generations."

As her new patronages prepare to experience the new level of exposure which comes with Kate, they ready themselves too for other benefits.

Benita Refson, chief executive of Place2Be, said: "What I hope this will do is help people understand and recognise how vital it is to support any charity or any work that's going on with mental health.

"Along with that we hope will also come the support we need to sustain the services and reach more children across the country."

The Duchess is already Patron of Action on Addiction and the National Portrait Gallery and is Royal Patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices and The Art Room.

Compared to the Queen, who has more than 600 patronages, and the Duke of Edinburgh, who has 700, Kate's seven may seem few in number.

But she is adding to the list which shows an intent to return to work soon after her baby is born.

Kate is not the only member of the royal family to announce new patronages.

Princess Beatrice has become parton of the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre

Princess Beatrice, who was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of seven, has become patron of the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre in Surrey.

She told Sky News: "I have benefited hugely from the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre and I am looking forward to supporting them in giving a chance to others to benefit from their experience and teaching.

"I would not have been able to achieve my academic results without the support I received from the centre."

The princess passed eight GCSEs, three A-levels and graduated with a 2:1 in History and the History of Ideas from Goldsmiths College, London.